Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a complex condition characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with the desire to compulsively seek and use drugs that persists even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time, the ability of a person to choose not to do so becomes compromised and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory and inhibitory control over behavior. Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of the life of an individual, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a lifestyle free of drugs and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and halt addition. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of quality of life.' '

Gynecology

Obstetrics and gynecology are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training program. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Gynecology is a branch of medicine specializing in the disorders of the female reproductive system. Modern gynecology deals with menstrual disorders, menopause, infectious disease and development of the reproductive organs, disturbances of the sex hormones, benign and malignant tumor formation, and the prescription of contraceptive devices. A branch of gynecology, reproductive medicine, deals with infertility. It utilizes artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilizations, a human egg fertilized in a test tube, and then implanted into the womb. Some gynecologists also practice obstetrics. Surgical gynecology began to make progress in the 19th cent., when the introduction of anesthesia and antisepsis (see antiseptic) paved the way for many advances. The American physician J. M. Sims was largely responsible for gaining acceptance of gynecology as a medical and surgical specialty. Until then there had been opposition to it on moral grounds from midwives, the clergy, and the medical profession. Obstetrician/gynecologist is a physician specialist who provides medical and surgical care to women and has particular expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive system. This includes preventative care, prenatal care, detection of sexually transmitted diseases, Pap test screening, and family planning. An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the management of pregnancy, labor, and birth. They also receive specialized education in the health of the female reproductive system and surgical care. Much of their education focuses on the detection and management of obstetrical and gynecological problems. An obstetrician/gynecologist, commonly abbreviated as OB/GYN, can serve as a primary physician and often serve as consultants to other physicians. OB/GYNs can have private practices, work in hospital or clinic settings, and maintain teaching positions at university hospitals. OB/GYNs may also work public health and preventive medicine administrations. OB/GYNs have a broad base of knowledge and can vary their professional focus. Many develop unique practices, providing high-quality health care for women. OB/GYNs may choose to specialize in the following areas: An obstetrician closely monitors their patient's health during pregnancy and delivery. They diagnose fetus abnormalities or health issues of their patient and offer healthy living advice and treatment. They see their patients on a regular basis for health consultations, ultrasounds, and any of their patient's prenatal medical needs, including forming a birth plan. The frequency of a patients' check up often depends on risk factors and resources.

Implant Checks

Patients should perform implant checks regularly for breast good health. Physicians recommend patients follow up with doctors for the life of the implant. Though generally safe, breast implants are medical devices and they can fail. If detected early enough, replacing a ruptured breast implant, particularly saline-filled breast implants, is similar to replacing a battery in a battery compartment. If detected late, ruptured silicone implants can cause thickening of scar tissue around the implant, which can lead to breast deformity and pain. Delayed replacement or removal of ruptured breast implants can be more complicated. Like all surgical procedures, breast enlargement exposes patients to potential mistakes and side effects. Breast implants are medical devices that can fail. A breast implant alters the size and shape of the breasts of a person. There are two primary types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-gel-filled. Saline implants have a silicone elastomer shell filled with sterile saline liquid.

Top 10 Sleep Myths

Shut Down

Myth 1: Sleep is a time when the body and brain shut down for rest and relaxation.
No evidence shows that any major organ (including the brain) or regulatory system in the body shuts down during sleep. Some physiological processes actually become more active while sleeping. For example, some hormones secretions rise and activity of the pathways in the brain needed for learning and memory increases.

One Hour Less

Myth 2: Getting just one hour less sleep per night than needed does not have any effect on daytime functioning.
This lack of sleep may not make a person noticeably sleepy during the day. However, even slightly less sleep can affect the ability to think properly and respond quickly. Sleep deprivation can compromise cardiovascular health and energy balance as well as the ability to fight infections, particularly if lack of sleep continues. If a person consistently does not get enough sleep, eventually a sleep debt builds up that will cause excessively tiredness during the day.

The Body Adjust Quickly

Myth 3: The body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules.
The internal biological clock signals the body to be more alert during the daytime and drowsier at night. Thus, even if a person works the night shift, the body will naturally feel sleepy when nighttime comes. Most people can reset their biological clock, but only by appropriately timed cues and even then, by one to two hours per day at best. Consequently, it can take more than a week to adjust to a dramatically altered sleep/wake cycle, such as people encounter when traveling across several time zones or switching from working the day shift to the night shift.

Do It Less When Older

Myth 4: People need less sleep with age.
Older people do not need less sleep, but often get less sleep or find sleep less refreshing. As people age, the body spends less time in the deep, restful stages of sleep and wakes more easily. Older people are also more likely to have insomnia or other medical conditions that disrupt sleep.

Extra Sleep Cures Fatigue

Myth 5: Extra sleep at night can cure problems of excessive daytime fatigue.
Not only is the quantity of sleep important but also the quality of sleep. Some people sleep eight or nine hours a night but do not feel rested in the morning because the quality of sleep is poor. A number of sleep disorders and other medical conditions affect the quality of sleep. Sleeping more will not alleviate the daytime sleepiness these disorders or conditions cause. However, many of these disorders or conditions disappear with changes in behavior or with medical therapies.

Make Up Sleep on the Weekend

Myth 6: People can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping more on the weekends.
Although this sleeping pattern will help relieve part of a sleep debt, it will not completely make up for the lack of sleep. This pattern also will not make up for impaired performance during the week because of not sleeping enough. Furthermore, sleeping later on the weekends can affect the internal clock of the body so that it is much harder to go to sleep at the right time on Sunday nights and get up early on Monday mornings.

Naps

Myth 7: Naps are a waste of time.
Although naps are not substitutes for good sleep, naps can be restorative and help counter some of the impaired performance that results from not getting enough sleep at night. Naps can actually help the body and brain learn how to do certain tasks quicker. Avoid taking naps later than 3 PM, as late naps can interfere with the ability to fall asleep at night. In addition, limit naps to no longer than one hour because longer naps will make it harder to wake up and get back in the swing of things.

Snoring Is Not a Problem

Myth 8: Snoring is a normal part of sleep.
Snoring during sleep is common, particularly as a person gets older. Evidence suggests that snoring on a regular basis can make a person sleepy during the day and more susceptible to diabetes and heart disease. In addition, some studies link frequent snoring to problem behavior and poorer school achievement in children. Loud, frequent snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder.

Not Enough Sleep Results in Sleepiness

Myth 9: Children who do not get enough sleep at night will show signs of sleepiness during the day.
Unlike adults, children who do not get enough sleep at night typically become more active than normal during the day. They often show difficulty paying attention and behaving properly. Consequently, doctors may misdiagnose children as having attention-deficit hyperactivity.

Worry Causes Insomnia

Drugs

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